Disclaimer: Super Long but no ones surprised right? Theres a message in churches across the globe that I want to address. Its been said that a believer in Christ should serve, reach out; make others feel welcomed, loved. A true follower of Christ is one who serves the congregation, the local community or globally, Yes, this is important. The issue for me is when I hear from believing friends; from loved ones, from peers and within myself how real the battle with depression, anxiety, fear, or shame is yet these topics are rarely touched on. In church I hear how we should get connected with others by joining small groups, Bible studies, etc. I totally agree with doing these things in order to grow in relationship with other believers and to serve. The issue I have had over the years is watching people struggle because they dont feel they measure up; that they have to be involved in works and staying busy to be deemed good enough or that they feel alone with secrets they hide, beating themselves up with shame. How can one be effective in all those groups if they have not accepted or yet understand Gods love for them as a sinner? I sit there in church, feeling bad (or not good enough) myself, because I dont have time, cant always afford a sitter, etc so I cant join a small group or serve the community in ways that would prove to everyone else I am a worthy Christian (I hope you sense the slight sarcasm). Thats a personal dilemma but it leaves me wondering how much more effective the message would be if it focused on serving the few personal relationships in our lives that matter, as the priority. For instance, its awesome if you belong to 3 Bible studies and help with community outreach projects and tell people about Gods love. But how do you treat/serve your spouse or your children? What is your heart like at its core? And thats great if you run the mommy and me group and bake meals for the sick and knitting hats for the meth-addicted babies at the hospital. How do you treat your husband? How available are you for your sick parents? Do you have any authentic friendships with depth and with who you can be honest about yourself with? God calls us to be disciples. But why is the focus mostly on discipling those in the congregation or out in the world and less talk about focusing on discipling the people in our homes; being a loving role model for those who need us? Isnt it most important and most effective to disciple our children and for husbands to disciple their wives rather than playing a part for the congregation while those we love and who we are responsible for, suffer? If you struggle b/c you feel like you cant please God, or because you cant NOT fail daily, please know that that is true. Gods not counting on you to please him. In fact, what the gospel screams is- I DID THIS FOR YOU. IT IS A FREE GIFT BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. If you believe theres someone in your church who has it all together, who is living a life without sin, youve fallen for a lie. We are ALL sinners, we ALL struggle, we ALL have secrets we think would keep people from loving and accepting us. Jesus didnt die with an expectation that we would then replicate his life (as if thats possible). He gave himself up as a gift. We cant make him happy by our works. He doesnt love us more on the days we sin 12 times versus the day we sin 45 times. He has no void hes waiting on us to fill and he isnt crying with disappointment & isnt shocked every day when we screw up. God doesnt care if we look like followers to everyone else; he cares if we are following in our hearts and it is known by how we treat those closest to us- the ones who know who we really are, what weve done and how we act behind closed doors- (and if youre like me, your heart can get pretty ugly when youre mad or hurt). Those are with who the discipling should begin. And those are who grace and mercy should be allotted to first. The walk with Christ demands only a constant, failed moment by failed moment desire for repentance and the desire to genuinely love; to be real with the fact that we fail often and to first learn to serve those closest to us before we have any business thinking we can effectively serve strangers. And then rest in the truth that Gods not waiting on us to get it right before hes able to accept or make use of us. Thats it. I had a lot of coffee today.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:50:30 +0000